(Graphic by Grace Lema using images by Canva)
By William Thomas
Students on campus remain split over whether physical or digital media is the better choice, but many say the appeal of owning a tangible copy still matters.
Michael Kearney. (William Thomas)
Michael Kearney said he prefers physical media because it provides permanence. “With physical media, you always have a hard copy and you can always back up using certain tools,” he said.
Noah Schmidt. (William Thomas)
Noah Schmidt also leans heavily toward physical formats. “I still collect physical media,” he said. “I’ve collected over 600 DVDs… especially from library book sales and book fairs because a lot of stuff is out of print.”
Schmidt said his collection includes Marvel and Pixar films, concert movies and biopics. While he still buys physical books and movies, he also streams music and audiobooks. “I do basically both with physical and digital media,” he said.
Sam Barragan. (William Thomas)
Sam Barragan, known as Student Senator DJ, said he values the ownership that comes with DVDs. “I’m a guy who still collects and watches DVDs,” he said. “What happens when Netflix gets rid of a movie that you like? That’s why I like having my DVDs… I can watch it whenever I want.”
Barragan said that sense of control is why he prefers “the physical medium.”
Matthew Ghadban. (William Thomas)
In the campus gym, Matthew Ghadban said he avoids most digital platforms entirely. “I’m on almost no digital media,” he said, noting he hasn’t used Facebook in more than a decade and never created Instagram, TikTok or X accounts.
Ghadban, who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, said physical media connects to his love of long-form storytelling. He said films require “collaborations of… dozens or hundreds of people,” which he considers true art.
Kareem Balance. (William Thomas)
Not all students share that view. In the same gym, Kareem Balance said digital media simply fits his lifestyle better. “I prefer digital just because it’s less to carry around,” he said.
“For traveling, it’s a lot easier to access media through an app or cloud database instead of packing your bags with all your favorite movies,” he said.
